JP2005106976A - Liquid crystal device and electronic appliance using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal device with which a display screen is made bright and contrast is heightened, and an electronic appliance. <P>SOLUTION: The reflective liquid crystal device displays a picture by reflecting external light made incident on a liquid crystal layer 9 via a polarizing plate 7 with a reflection layer 11 and subsequently taking out the reflected light to the outside via the liquid crystal layer 9 and the polarizing plate 7. A forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 having a transmission axis and a diffusion axis is disposed between the polarizing plate 7 and the liquid crystal layer 9 so as to make the transmission axis of the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 perpendicularly intersect the transmission axis of the polarizing plate 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal device having a reflective or reflective transflective display screen and an electronic device using the same, and more particularly to a liquid crystal device having a high contrast and a bright display screen and an electronic device using the same.

A conventional liquid crystal device is configured by forming a liquid crystal layer composed of liquid crystal molecules between a pair of first substrate and second substrate and arranging polarizing plates above and below so as to sandwich the liquid crystal layer. It is common. In such a liquid crystal device, a liquid crystal device in which a light scattering layer is arranged has been proposed for the purpose of improving the light utilization efficiency and widening the viewing angle of the obtained image display.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a liquid crystal panel 115 having a reflective layer 111, a liquid crystal layer 113, a phase difference plate 117 disposed on the surface side of the liquid crystal panel 115, and a surface side of the phase difference plate 117 There is a reflective liquid crystal device including an isotropic front scattering plate 119 disposed and a polarizing plate 121 installed on the surface side of the front scattering plate 119. In such a reflective liquid crystal device, external light that has entered through the polarizing plate 121 passes through the front scattering plate 119 and is scattered, and enters the liquid crystal panel 115 through the retardation plate 117. Next, the light incident on the liquid crystal panel 115 passes through the liquid crystal layer 113, is reflected by the reflection layer 111, passes through the liquid crystal layer 113 again, and passes through the retardation plate 117. Further, the reflected light is made a predetermined scattered light by the front scattering plate 119 and then enters the polarizing plate 121. When the liquid crystal layer 113 is a normally white type, when the voltage is off, the light can be transmitted through the polarizing plate 121, so that white display is obtained. On the other hand, when the voltage is on, the display is related to the transmission axis. Then, it is blocked by the polarizing plate 121 and becomes black (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Unlike the forward scattering plate having only the predetermined scattering function as described above, the following has been proposed as a liquid crystal device using a scattering polarizing plate having both a scattering function and a polarization function.
That is, a backlight, a polarizing plate, a liquid crystal cell, and a polarizing plate are stacked in this order, and the polarizing plate on the backlight side selectively selects predetermined linearly polarized light in order from the backlight side. A light-scattering polarization element having a polarization selection layer that transmits, selectively reflects and scatters other linearly polarized light, and polarization selection that selectively transmits predetermined linearly polarized light and selectively absorbs other linearly polarized light A liquid crystal device in which a light-absorbing polarizing element having a layer is stacked has been proposed. In such a liquid crystal device, the polarization transmission axis of the light-scattering polarizing element and the polarization transmission axis of the light-absorbing polarizing element are arranged so as to be substantially parallel, and the polarization selection of the light-absorbing polarizing element The layer is formed by coating on the polarization selection layer of the light scattering polarizing element (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2000-235180 (FIG. 1) JP 2003-156624 A (Claim 12)

However, in the liquid crystal device as shown in FIG. 6, since the front scattering plate is isotropic, all the light transmitted through the front scattering plate is scattered, and thus scattering occurs even during black display. As a result, a part of light can be transmitted and cannot be sufficiently blocked, so that there is a problem that so-called blur occurs and the contrast is lowered.
On the other hand, the liquid crystal device using the scattering polarizing plate described in Patent Document 1 is mainly intended to improve the light use efficiency while being thin, and does not exhibit the effect of increasing the contrast.

  Therefore, as a result of intensive studies, the inventor used a forward scattering type polarizing plate having a transmission axis and a diffusion axis, and by considering the positional relationship between the forward scattering type polarizing plate and the polarizing plate, in the liquid crystal device, The present invention has been completed by finding out that contrast can be increased and bright image display can be recognized.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal device that reflects external light incident on a liquid crystal layer through a polarizing plate by a reflective layer, and then takes out the image through the liquid crystal layer and the polarizing plate to display an image. And a liquid crystal layer, a forward scattering type polarizing plate having a transmission axis and a diffusion axis, and a transmission axis of the forward scattering type polarizing plate and a transmission axis of the polarizing plate arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other Can be provided to solve the above-mentioned problems.

  In configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable that the forward-scattering polarizing plate has a transmission axis and a diffusion axis that are substantially perpendicular to each other.

  Further, in constituting the liquid crystal device of the present invention, the forward scattering type polarizing plate is composed of a polymer film and minute regions dispersed therein, and the polymer film and the minute regions are orthogonal straight lines. It preferably has a refractive index (n1) that is substantially equal to one refractive index of polarized light, and a refractive index (n2) that is different from the refractive index for the other of the linearly polarized light.

In constituting the liquid crystal device of the present invention, the reflective layer is preferably a transflective layer.
That is, using the transflective layer, the polarized light emitted from the light source and transmitted through the liquid crystal layer is extracted to the outside through the polarizing plate, and the liquid crystal layer is connected to the liquid crystal layer through the polarizing plate. It is preferable that the liquid crystal device have a reflection mode in which incident external light is reflected by the reflective layer and then taken out through the liquid crystal layer and the polarizing plate to display an image.

  In constructing the liquid crystal device of the present invention, a light source is provided below the transflective layer, and polarized light emitted from the light source and transmitted through the liquid crystal layer is taken out through the polarizing plate to display an image. It is preferable to carry out.

  In constituting the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable to provide a retardation plate between the liquid crystal layer and the polarizing plate.

  In configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable to further provide a colored layer to display a color image. Note that the colored layer is preferably provided in a state of being partially overlapped above the reflective layer.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a liquid crystal device having a liquid crystal sandwiched between a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, and a forward-scattering polarizing plate having a transmission axis and a diffusion axis; A polarizing plate having a transmission axis, the transmission axis of the forward scattering type polarizing plate and the transmission axis of the polarizing plate are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other, and the transmitted light transmitted through the liquid crystal is forward scattering type. The liquid crystal device is characterized by being incident on a polarizing plate through a polarizing plate.

  In configuring the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable that the forward-scattering polarizing plate has a transmission axis and a diffusion axis that are substantially perpendicular to each other.

  In forming the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is preferable to have a pixel portion that transmits and reflects light.

  Still another embodiment of the present invention is an electronic apparatus including any one of the liquid crystal devices described above.

  According to the liquid crystal device of the present invention, the predetermined forward-scattering polarizing plate is placed between the polarizing plate and the liquid crystal layer so that the transmission axis of the forward-scattering diffusion plate and the transmission axis of the polarizing plate are orthogonal to each other. In the case of white display, the light transmitted through the forward-scattering polarizing plate is diffused to produce a bright display, while in the case of black display, the light transmitted through the forward-scattering polarizing plate is diffused. Therefore, light can be sufficiently blocked in the polarizing plate, and the contrast can be increased.

  Further, according to the liquid crystal device of the present invention, the transmission axis of the forward scattering type diffusion plate and the diffusion axis are orthogonal to diffuse light in the case of white display and light in the case of black display. It is possible to sufficiently prevent the diffusion and increase the contrast.

  Further, according to the liquid crystal device of the present invention, by using the forward scattering type polarizing plate having the refractive index anisotropy in this way, high light transmittance can be realized in the case of white display, and the screen display can be realized. Can be brightened. On the other hand, in the case of black display, the light transmitted through the forward-scattering polarizing plate is hardly diffused, so that the light can be sufficiently blocked in the polarizing plate and the contrast can be effectively increased.

  In addition, according to the liquid crystal device of the present invention, the reflective layer is a semi-transmissive reflective layer, and the predetermined forward scattering type polarizing plate is disposed, so that the contrast is effective in both the reflection mode and the transmission mode. Can be enhanced.

  Further, according to the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is possible to recognize a bright and excellent display screen in any of the reflection mode and the transmission mode by providing a predetermined light source and displaying an image. .

  Further, according to the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is possible to recognize a bright and excellent display screen by providing a retardation plate at a predetermined position.

  In addition, according to the liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is possible to recognize a bright and excellent color display screen by further providing a colored layer.

  According to another liquid crystal device of the present invention, the transmission axis of the forward scattering type diffusion plate and the transmission axis of the polarizing plate are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other, and the transmitted light transmitted through the liquid crystal is converted into the forward scattering type polarized light. By making the light incident on the polarizing plate through the plate, in the case of white display, the light transmitted through the forward scattering type polarizing plate is diffused to obtain a bright display, while in the case of black display, the forward scattering type polarizing plate is used. Since the transmitted light hardly diffuses, the light can be sufficiently blocked in the polarizing plate, and the contrast can be increased.

  Further, according to another liquid crystal device of the present invention, the transmission axis of the forward-scattering diffusion plate and the diffusion axis are orthogonal to diffuse light in the case of white display and in the case of black display. It is possible to increase the contrast by sufficiently preventing the light from diffusing.

  In addition, according to another liquid crystal device of the present invention, it is possible to realize a reflective transflective display that is bright and excellent in contrast by having a predetermined pixel portion.

  According to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, an electronic apparatus that can recognize a bright display screen with high contrast can be realized by including any one of the liquid crystal devices described above.

[First embodiment]
In the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, external light incident on a liquid crystal layer through a polarizing plate is reflected by a reflective layer, and then taken out through the liquid crystal layer and the polarizing plate to display an image. A forward scattering type polarizing plate having a transmission axis and a diffusion axis between the polarizing plate and the liquid crystal layer, a transmission axis of the forward scattering type polarizing plate, and a transmission axis of the polarizing plate. Is a liquid crystal device arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment. As an example of the liquid crystal device of the present embodiment, external light incident on a liquid crystal layer via a polarizing plate is illustrated. The present invention relates to a reflective liquid crystal device that is reflected by a reflective layer and then taken out through a liquid crystal layer and a polarizing plate to display an image.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment is installed on the surface side of the liquid crystal panel 1, the phase difference plate 3 installed on the surface side of the liquid crystal panel 1, and the phase difference plate 3. The forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 and the polarizing plate 7 installed on the surface side of the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 are provided.
Among these, the liquid crystal panel 1 is configured by sealing a liquid crystal layer 9 between two opposing glass substrates (not shown). On the surface of these glass substrates, a common electrode layer made of ITO (indium tin oxide) or the like, an alignment film or the like (both not shown) are formed and arranged. Further, a reflective layer 11 for reflecting and recognizing external light is provided on the lower surface side of the liquid crystal layer as the liquid crystal layer 9.
The liquid crystal layer in this example is preferably a normally white type that displays white when the voltage is off, but may be a normally black type that displays black when the voltage is off.

  Further, the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 is an optical film having a property of transmitting polarized light whose vibration direction coincides with the direction of the transmission axis and diffusing forward polarized light whose vibration direction is the direction of the diffusion axis. The properties of the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 of this example has a diffusion axis in a direction parallel to the paper surface and a transmission axis in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface. When light 13 whose vibration direction is orthogonal to the paper surface (the same direction as the transmission axis of the diffusion plate 5) is incident on the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5, the light can be transmitted without being diffused. On the other hand, when light 15 whose vibration direction is parallel to the paper surface (the same direction as the diffusion axis of the diffusion plate 5) is incident, the light is transmitted while being diffused.

  As a specific example of the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 having such properties, for example, a polarizing element disclosed in JP-A-9-274108 can be cited. Specifically, a micro region made of a different material is uniformly dispersed in a transparent polymer film, and the polymer film and the micro region correspond to one of orthogonal linearly polarized light. The refractive index (n1) is substantially equal, and the refractive index for the other of the linearly polarized light has a different refractive index (n2).

In addition, the polymer film constituting a part of the forward scattering type polarizing plate is preferably a transparent polymer film. However, since it is easy to exert its effect, in-plane refraction with respect to orthogonal linearly polarized light is preferable. Optical anisotropies having different rates are preferred. Therefore, from this point, uniaxially stretched polymer films made of various resins are preferably applied. Specific examples of such a polymer film include, for example, a film made of a polymer such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, vinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, or a blend of two or more thereof. Is mentioned.
Further, it is preferable that the minute region is formed of a material different from that of the matrix polymer film. From the viewpoint of obtaining excellent light scattering properties, the size is approximately 10 to 10 μm, more preferably 0.3 to 6 μm in terms of the average diameter of the approximate circle when each region is approximated by a circle of approximately the same area. It is preferable that it exists in.
Further, the density of the dispersed arrangement is preferably a density obtained in the range of 3 to 40% by weight of the content of the microregion material with respect to the polymer film material from the same viewpoint.

Further, as a material constituting the minute region, the refractive index (n1) for one of the linearly polarized light is substantially the same as the refractive index of the polymer film, and the refractive index (n2) for the other of the linearly polarized light is the polymer film. Any material different from that of the refractive index may be used. Specifically, among the film materials exemplified above as the material for the matrix polymer film, polymer materials, liquid crystals, various fillers, and the like that satisfy the above optical characteristics are preferably used.
The difference between the refractive index of the polymer film and the refractive index (n2) of the minute region is preferably 0.05 or more, more preferably 0.1 or more in terms of light scattering properties and polarization degree. is there. Therefore, it is preferable to select each material so as to satisfy this, and further to select a combination that makes this difference larger.

Next, the arrangement relationship between the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 and the polarizing plate 7 will be described. Regarding the arrangement of the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5, it is necessary to arrange the transmission axis of the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 and the transmission axis of the polarizing plate 7 so as to be substantially orthogonal to each other. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, when the transmission axis of the forward scattering polarizing plate 5 is in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface, the transmission axis of the polarizing plate 7 is preferably parallel to the paper surface.
This is because the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 is arranged in a crossed Nicol arrangement in relation to the polarizing plate 7. That is, the external light 17 is incident on the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 through the polarizing plate 7. Since the diffusion axis of the forward-scattering polarizing plate 5 is parallel to the paper surface (see FIG. 2), the light incident on the forward-scattering polarizing plate 5 is diffused by the forward-scattering polarizing plate 5 and is a retardation plate. 3 is incident on the liquid crystal panel 1. Therefore, the light incident on the liquid crystal panel 1 passes through the liquid crystal layer 9, is reflected by the reflective layer 11, enters the liquid crystal layer 9 again, and then passes.
At this time, when the voltage is off, the incident light passes through the liquid crystal layer 9 and becomes linearly polarized light at the reflection layer 11, so that the light transmitted through the phase difference plate 3 passes through the polarizing plate 7 and becomes white display. . At this time, since the reflected light passes through the diffusion axis of the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5, it is diffused thereby, resulting in a bright screen display.

On the other hand, when the voltage is on, the incident light passes through the liquid crystal layer 9 and becomes circularly polarized light at the reflective layer 11, so that the light transmitted through the phase difference plate 3 is transmitted through the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5. Since it coincides with the axis, it passes through the forward-scattering polarizing plate 5 without being diffused and enters the polarizing plate 7. Here, since the light incident on the polarizing plate 7 does not coincide with the transmission axis of the polarizing plate 7, the light is blocked by the polarizing plate 7 and a black display is obtained.
In this way, when the display is black, light is not diffused by the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 and is reliably blocked by the polarizing plate 7, so that the contrast can be increased without causing so-called blur.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 is used and the transmission axis of the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 and the transmission axis of the polarizing plate 7 are orthogonal to each other. The light is diffused by the forward-scattering polarizing plate 5 to produce a bright display. On the other hand, in the case of black display, since the light is not diffused by the forward-scattering polarizing plate 5, the light is reliably blocked by the polarizing plate 7. Does not occur. As a result, contrast can be increased.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic configuration of the liquid crystal device according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 3, the same parts as those in FIG.
The second embodiment relates to a reflective transflective liquid crystal device having a transmissive mode for displaying an image using light emitted from a light source and a reflective mode for displaying an image using external light. .
As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment includes a backlight 21 disposed on the surface side of the reflection plate 19, and only a polarization component in one direction of light disposed on the surface side of the backlight 21. A polarizing plate 23 to be taken out and a retardation plate (¼ wavelength plate) 25 disposed on the surface side of the polarizing plate 23 are provided.
A liquid crystal panel 27 is disposed on the surface side of the phase difference plate 25. The liquid crystal layer 9 constituting the liquid crystal panel 27 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Further, below the liquid crystal layer 9, a reflective transflective layer 29 is formed that includes a reflective portion in which the reflective layer 31 is disposed and a transmissive portion 33 without the reflective layer 31.
Note that the configuration on the front surface side of the liquid crystal panel 27 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
First, in the transmission mode, the light 35 emitted from the backlight 21 and passing through the polarizing plate 23 is out of phase by passing through the phase difference plate 25 (see the right arrow in the figure) and becomes circularly polarized light. The light enters the liquid crystal layer 9 through the transmission part 33.
The light incident on the liquid crystal layer 9 is incident on the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 via the phase difference plate 3 when the voltage is off. Next, since the light incident on the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 becomes circularly polarized light, a part corresponding to the diffusion axis of the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 is diffused by the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5. Since it is transmitted, a bright white display is obtained.

On the other hand, when the voltage is on, the vibration direction of the light is shifted by 90 ° when passing through the liquid crystal layer 9 and the phase difference plate 3, so that the light incident on the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 is scattered forward. It coincides with the transmission axis of the polarizing plate 5 and can pass through the forward scattering polarizing plate 5 without diffusing. However, the light transmitted through the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5 has its vibration direction not coincident with the transmission axis of the polarizing plate 7, so that it is efficiently blocked by the polarizing plate 7 and becomes black display. Therefore, when the black display is performed in this way, the light is not diffused by the forward scattering type polarizing plate 5, so that the contrast can be increased without causing a so-called blur in the polarizing plate 7.
In addition, since the effect | action when the external light 17 injects in reflection mode is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, description here is abbreviate | omitted.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the contrast can be increased and the display screen can be brightened in both the transmission mode and the reflection mode.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment relates to a reflective transflective color liquid crystal device using a color filter.
As shown in FIG. 4, the color liquid crystal device according to the present embodiment is disposed on the color filter substrate 37 and the counter substrate 38 facing each other, and on the surface side of the counter substrate 38 (the side opposite to the color filter substrate 37). A forward scattering type polarizing plate 39, a first retardation plate 41 installed on the surface side of the forward scattering type polarizing plate 39, a second retardation plate 43 installed on the surface side of the first retardation plate 41, And a polarizing plate 45 installed on the surface side of the second retardation plate 43.
In addition, a retardation plate (¼ wavelength plate) 47 disposed on the back side of the color filter substrate 37 (on the side opposite to the counter substrate 38), and a polarizing plate 49 disposed on the back side of the retardation plate 47. And a backlight unit (not shown) disposed below the polarizing plate 49.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, in the color liquid crystal device, basically, two glass substrates 51 and 53, and a liquid crystal layer 55 and a color filter 57 are arranged between the two glass substrates 51 and 53. It is preferable that it is comprised. More specifically, a reflective layer 59 made of, for example, aluminum, a colored layer 61 formed for each pixel, and an overcoat that covers the colored layer 61 are formed on the surface side of the glass substrate 51 (on the opposite glass substrate 53 side). Layer 63. In general, the colored layer 61 and the overcoat layer 63 are often referred to as a color filter 57.
A transparent electrode 65 made of a transparent conductor such as ITO (indium tin oxide) is formed on the upper surface of the overcoat layer 63. An alignment film 67 made of polyimide resin or the like is formed on the surface side of the transparent electrode 65 in order to facilitate voltage driving of the liquid crystal.
Further, on the glass substrate 53 (the glass substrate 51 side) facing the glass substrate 51, a transparent electrode 69 similar to that installed on the glass substrate 51 side is formed, and an alignment film 71 is formed on the upper surface of the transparent electrode 69. Are stacked.

In addition, the colored layer 61 usually has a predetermined color tone by dispersing a coloring material such as a pigment or a dye in a transparent resin. An example of the color tone of the colored layer 61 includes a primary color filter composed of a combination of three colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue), but is not limited to this. It can be formed in a complementary color system such as yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and other various color tones.
The colored layer 61 usually has a predetermined color pattern by applying a colored resist made of a photosensitive resin containing a coloring material such as a pigment or a dye on the substrate surface, and removing unnecessary portions by a photolithography method. Things are formed. Here, when forming a colored layer of a plurality of tones, the above steps are repeated.

In the present embodiment configured as described above, the light emitted from the backlight unit and incident on the polarizing plate 49 passes through the phase difference plate 47 and becomes circularly polarized light and enters the color filter substrate 37. The light incident on the color filter substrate 37 passes through the colored layer 61 through the gap between the reflective layers 59, further passes through the liquid crystal layer 55 and the counter substrate 38, and enters the forward scattering polarizing plate 39. The light incident on the forward-scattering polarizing plate 39 is diffused by the forward-scattering polarizing plate 39 and incident on the first and second retardation plates 41 and 43 in the white display mode when the voltage is off. Then, the light is further transmitted through the polarizing plate 45 and emitted.
On the other hand, in the black display mode when the voltage is on, the light is transmitted without being diffused by the forward-scattering polarizing plate 39 and is incident on the first and second retardation plates 41 and 43 and enters the polarizing plate 45. Is blocked.
As described above, in the present embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, the light emitted from the backlight unit is diffused and emitted by the forward-scattering polarizing plate 39 in the white display mode. In the black display mode, the light is displayed brightly and is blocked by entering the polarizing plate 45 without being diffused by the forward-scattering polarizing plate 39, so that the contrast can be increased without causing so-called blur.

  On the other hand, external light incident from the polarizing plate 45 side passes through the counter substrate 38 and the liquid crystal layer 55, and further passes through the colored layer 61 and then is reflected by the reflective layer 59. Then, the light again passes through the colored layer 61, the liquid crystal layer 55, and the counter substrate 38 and enters the forward scattering type polarizing plate 39. Similar to the case of the light emitted from the backlight unit, the behavior of the light incident on the forward scattering type polarizing plate 39 is diffused and emitted from the forward scattering type polarizing plate 39 and bright in the white display mode. On the other hand, in the black display mode, the light is incident on the polarizing plate 45 without being diffused by the forward-scattering polarizing plate 39 and is blocked, so that high contrast is obtained without causing so-called blur.

In the transmission mode, the light emitted from the backlight unit passes through the colored layer 61 only once, while the reflected light passes through the colored layer 61 of the color filter substrate 37 twice. However, since the thickness of the colored layer 61 above the reflective layer 59 is set to half the thickness of the entire colored layer 61, the distance that light passes through the colored layer in the transmission mode and the reflection mode is the same. . Therefore, regardless of whether it is based on the reflection method or the transmission method, the passing distances in the colored layer are substantially equal, and the same degree of coloring can be visually observed.
As described above, also in the present embodiment using the color filter substrate 37, in both the transmission mode and the reflection mode, a bright screen display is obtained in the white display mode, and so-called blur does not occur in the black display mode. The contrast can be increased.

[Fourth Embodiment]
The case where the liquid crystal device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is used as a display device in an electronic apparatus will be specifically described.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the electronic apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, this electronic apparatus has a liquid crystal panel 91 and a control means 93 for controlling the liquid crystal panel 91. In FIG. 8, the liquid crystal panel 91 is conceptually divided into a panel structure 91A and a drive circuit 91B composed of a semiconductor element (IC chip) or the like. The control means 93 preferably includes a display information output source 95, a display processing circuit 97, a power supply circuit 99, and a timing generator 101.
The display information output source 95 includes a memory composed of ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., a storage unit composed of a magnetic recording disk, an optical recording disk, etc. The display information is preferably supplied to the display information processing circuit 97 in the form of an image signal in a predetermined format based on various clock signals generated by the timing generator 101.

The display information processing circuit 97 includes various known circuits such as a serial-parallel conversion circuit, an amplification / inversion circuit, a rotation circuit, a gamma correction circuit, and a clamp circuit, and executes processing of input display information. It is preferable to supply the image information to the drive circuit 91B together with the clock signal CLK. The driving circuit 91B preferably includes a scanning line driving circuit, a data line driving circuit, and an inspection circuit. The power supply circuit 99 has a function of supplying a predetermined voltage to each of the above-described components.
And if it is the electronic device of this embodiment, the front scattering type polarizing plate which has a transmission axis and a diffusion axis between a polarizing plate and a liquid-crystal layer, and the transmission axis of this front scattering type polarizing plate are polarizing plates. Since the liquid crystal panel 91 is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the transmission axis, a bright screen display with high contrast can be achieved.

  According to the present invention, since the contrast is high and the display screen can be brightened, a liquid crystal device or an electronic device using a liquid crystal material as a liquid crystal, such as a mobile phone or a personal computer, a liquid crystal television, a viewfinder type, The present invention can be applied to a monitor direct-view video tape recorder, a car navigation device, a pager, an electrophoresis device, an electronic notebook, a calculator, a word processor, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, an electronic device equipped with a touch panel, and the like.

Furthermore, the liquid crystal device and the electronic apparatus according to the present invention are not limited to the illustrated examples described above, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, although the liquid crystal panel described in each of the above embodiments has a simple matrix structure, it is applied to an active matrix liquid crystal device using an active element (active element) such as a TFT (thin film transistor) or a TFD (thin film diode). Can also be applied.
Further, the liquid crystal panel of the above embodiment has a so-called COG type structure, but a flexible wiring board or a TAB board is connected to a liquid crystal panel that is not a structure in which a semiconductor element (IC chip) is directly mounted, for example, a liquid crystal panel. It may be configured as described above.

It is explanatory drawing with which it uses for description of the reflection type liquid crystal device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing with which it uses for description of the forward scattering type polarizing plate in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing with which it uses for description of the reflective transflective liquid crystal device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing with which it uses for description of the color liquid crystal device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing with which it uses for description of the electronic device which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing with which it uses for description of the conventional reflection type liquid crystal device.

Explanation of symbols

1.27: Liquid crystal panel, 3.41, 43: Phase plate, 5.39: Forward scattering type polarizing plate, 7.23, 47, 45: Polarizing plate, 9.55: Liquid crystal layer, 11.59: Reflection Layer: 31: Reflector, 37: Color filter substrate, 38: Counter substrate

Claims (11)

A liquid crystal device that reflects external light incident on a liquid crystal layer through a polarizing plate by a reflective layer, and then takes out the image through the liquid crystal layer and the polarizing plate to display an image,
A forward scattering polarizing plate having a transmission axis and a diffusion axis is provided between the polarizing plate and the liquid crystal layer, and the transmission axis of the forward scattering polarizing plate is orthogonal to the transmission axis of the polarizing plate. A liquid crystal device arranged as described above.   2. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the forward scattering type polarizing plate has the transmission axis and the diffusion axis substantially orthogonal to each other.   The forward-scattering polarizing plate is composed of a polymer film and a minute region dispersed therein, and the polymer film and the minute region are substantially in one refractive index in orthogonal linearly polarized light. 3. The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal device has a refractive index (n1) equal to n and a refractive index different from that of the other linearly polarized light (n2).   The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein the reflective layer is a transflective layer.   5. A light source is provided below the transflective layer, and polarized light emitted from the light source and transmitted through the liquid crystal layer is extracted outside through the polarizing plate to display an image. The liquid crystal device according to 1.   The liquid crystal device according to claim 1, wherein a retardation plate is provided between the liquid crystal layer and the polarizing plate.   The liquid crystal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a color image is displayed by further providing a colored layer. In a liquid crystal device in which a liquid crystal is sandwiched between a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other,
A forward-scattering polarizing plate having a transmission axis and a diffusion axis;
A polarizing plate having a transmission axis,
The transmission axis of the forward-scattering diffusion plate and the transmission axis of the polarizing plate are arranged orthogonally, and
A liquid crystal device, wherein transmitted light transmitted through the liquid crystal is incident on the polarizing plate through a forward scattering polarizing plate. 9. The liquid crystal device according to claim 8, wherein the forward scattering type polarizing plate has the transmission axis and the diffusion axis substantially orthogonal to each other.   The liquid crystal device according to claim 8, further comprising a pixel portion that transmits and reflects light.   An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal device according to claim 1.